Pinay maid inherits more than P185 million from Singaporean employer

A Filipina maid identified only as Christine, 47, inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than US $4 million or P185 million based on the current exchange rate) from her Singaporean employer who died last year at 66, reports AFP via Inquirer.net.

According to the AFP report, Christine, who served her employer Dr. Quek Kai Miew for more than 20 years, told Straits Times, "I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money." She refused to give her real name, fearing possible threats in the Philippines.

Christine’s inheritance from the philanthropist Quek includes cash and a luxury apartment near Orchard Road. She had known she would be a beneficiary of Quek’s will when it drawn up two years ago. "There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," said Christine, who also took care of Quek’s late mother.

Claiming she and Quek were inseparable, Christine said, "[Her death] was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Dr. Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself... I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."

Christine temporarily moved in with Quek’s nephew "for solace" after Quek died last year. She is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore.

"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," she said. "I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."